Flushing apparatus.



L. SIMMONS. FL'USHING APPARATUS.

AIILIOATION FILED JUNE 15', 1911.

Patented Nov. 14, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET '1.

. L. SIMMONS. FLUSHING APPARATUS. I APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, 1911.

V Looz@ BTS-SHEET 3.

Kw wf w L LEO SIMMONS, OF WASHINGTON, IIISTRICT OF COLUMBI.

FLUSHING MPABATUS.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented Nov. 14, 1911.

Application filed .Tune `15, 1911. Serial No. 633,366.

10 all whom i may concern: Be it known that I, Li-:o SrMMoNaa cit-1- zen of the United States, residing at lVashington, District or' Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flushing Apparatus; and Ido hereby declaro the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

. This invention relates to certain improvements in flushing a paratus for closets, and other purposes; an the objectsvand nature of my invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanation of the accompanying drawings showing what I now consider to be my; preferred embodiment from among ot er formations and arrangements within the spirit and scope of my'invention.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements as more fully and particularly set forth hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings :--Figure l, is a perspective view showing several closet bowls equipped with flushing apparatus in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2, is a detail perspective view of certain parts detached and separated from copcraling elements. Fig. 3, is a vertical sectional view showing a portion of a bowl and n lluslling apparatus in accordance with my invention, the valves ythereof being shown in opened or flushing adjustment.

Fig. 4A, is a detail perspective View of certain detached parts. Fig. 5, is a detail perspective view of portions of the operating mechanism detached.

ln the drawings, I show a flushing apparatus 'constructed in accordance lwith my invention and coupled to receive water under pressure from any suitable source through water supply pipe l, and to deliver the same for flushing any suitable receptaele, such as closet bowl 2.

In the specific example illustrated, the flushing apparatus comprises an` upright dome or pressure chamber 3,' mounted on and'rising from the upper end of the vertical arm of an elbow-like easing section 4, having its horizontal or delive end connected to deliver water into an for flush ing the bowl 2. The horizontal end of the elbow ,can be coupled and connected to the bowl in any suitable lmanneror by any suit able means, although 1n this instance I show pipe section 5, and appropriate coup.

for the` purpose. The lower end of the dome i is cou led to and receives the upper open end o the elbow. At a suitablevpoint, such as the uper end of the elbow, I provide any suita le internal annular valve seat. This valve seat can be formed by a leather, or other suitable cushioning material, washer 6, held to an annular ledge 60, integral with the elbow casing-by a threaded ring 61, screwing down on the Washer andA `maintaining the position thereof.

The water supply pipe l, opens laterally into the lower end of the dome just above and to discharge the water transversely across the valve seat, although I do not wish to limit all features of my invention to such arrangement.,

The outlet port (surrounded by valve seat 6) from the dome 1s normally sealed by a valve device consisting of two superimposed coperati -g valves 7, 71, arranged one on or within the other. lThe main valve 7, is usually formed in one piece of suitable heavy durable material, such as metal. In the example illustrated, this valve has a rounded or convex lower end to rest on the valve seat G, and close the port therethrough. The valve is usually elongated and reduced or tapered vertically ,so as to extend aI substantial distance upwardly above said seat and into the dome directly opposite: the water inlet pipe l, and is formed with a` vertical water passage or duct 70, extending longitudinally and centrally therethrough. This passage 70, is of substantial capacity, in fact, I usually form the same of a diaineter equal to one third more or less, of the diameter of the outlet port surrounded by seat G. I usually rovide the small upper end of valve7, wit `a central depression or socket forming a valve seat 72, around the upper end of water passage 70, to re- 100 ceive the upper qulcloopening and slowclosing Vor relief valve 71. This valve 71, is usually of the shape about as shown having an enlarged rounded lower end from which the valve tapers and reduces upwardly. 105

This relief valve is normally seated in said socket or depression sealing and closingthel water assage 70. The valve 71, is controlled y and secured to a still' lifting rod f' comprising uprights sections 73, 74; and 76:.` 11ol esl Rod section 78 is of a reduced size with 're- -spect to, and depends loosely through, the

' from its seat.

passage 70, and at a point belo'w valve 7 is coupled to rod section 74, at its lower end vpivotally joined at 75, toa vertically swingable lifting arm 8.

In the specific example illustrated, the rod section 73, is joined to 'and in rigid upward continuation of the rod section 74, through the medium of a sleeve orblock 7 6, having an enlarged upper end forming a lifting and u holding shoulder to en age the lower end of the valve 7 ,and lift an su port the same The lifting s oulder 76, is normally located a distance below .the 'lower l end of valve 7, that is, when the valve 7 'is 'in normal position on itsseat 6, and the valve 71, is in normal position 'sealing passage 70.

.in the Ispecific exam le illust-rated, the "elbow/ casing e, is forme with e rearwardly projecting hollow 'protuberance or enlarge- 'ment 40, through which horizontal rock zontal transverse pivot to permit swing of said rods'and the valves carried thereb in a vertical plane toward and 'from the inlet pipe 1, and to hold the saine against lateral swing or deflection from said vertical plane, although lI do not wish to so limit all features of my invention.

When the valves are in normal closed position, the liftirif rod is approximately vertical and centrally arranged in the upright portion of the elbow casing, and the lever arm 8, is approximately horizontal, as indicated by dotted lines, Fig. 3. When the shaft 80, is rocked (by .lifting the handle' 81, or by other means) to elevate the lever arm 8, the initial upward swing of said arm raises the lift rodand elevatcs the relief valve 71, from its seat, to permit relief of the excessive pressure in the dome by flow of water through the passage 70. Continued upward movement of the lift rod brings the stop or shoulder 7G, thereof against the lower end of the main valve 7, and said valve is thereupon rocked or tilted and lifted from its scat to permit the full flushing flow of water through the port surrounded by.

val-vc seat G` '.llie lever arm 8, swings vertically on a fixed center (axis of shaft and hence in moving upwardly carries the lower end of the lifting rod upwardly and- Fig. 3, and thereby rocks or tilts the valve 7, from its seat in lifting the same, and the inriish of water through .pipe 1, into the dome and laterally against valve 7, is ina direction to aid in this tilting action. By thus providing a tiltable valve and voperating connections, in conjunction with the relief valve, the main valve can be easil rocked-and lifted from its lseat by the application of slight non-objectionable force to the handle 81, or other means for rocking lever arm 8, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

When the parts are in elevated posit-ion, as shown in Fig. 3, the lifting rod carryin the vvalve is held in tilted position an against dropping against` the' wall of the dome or the valve seat, by the edge of the bifurcated end of the lower section 74, of

the rod, engaging the edge of a notch or recess 82, in the armS.

I preferably provide means whereby the position of the valve 71, can be varied longitudinally of the lifting rodj and also whereby the position of the block or lifting. sto 7 6, can be varied longitudinally of said ro For instance, I show ,the rod. section 73,

longitudinally threaded and screwed-through a threaded hole in valve'71, as well as into a threaded socketin block 7 6. Y If so desired, 1

the valve 71, can be locked .to said rod in the desired adjustment by set screw 71a. The rod section 74, can also, if so desired, be threaded to screw into a longitudinal .threaded socket in block- 76, for longitudinal adjustment. By this arrangement, or the equivalent thereof, the relative positions of the block 76 with respect to `v-alve 71, or with respect to valve 7, can be Aeasily regulated or adjusted in setting up' the apparatus to accord with various conditions', such as pipes of different capacities, or to increase or diminish the length of time in which the valve is to close. In order to control the closing action of the duplex valve, c. the two valves 7, 71, I provide an 'open-to cylinder 9, depending from the louffe'i portion of the elbow casing' -i, and at its-top opening into the interior thereof to reeel-ve water therefrom, and iii this cylinder Tarrange a loosely provided with a rigid central .depending tapered guide stem 9?, depending and ver-4 tically and laterally movable in a guide socketv or way 95, dependingfrom the other- Wise closed lower end of the cylinder and at the lower end terminating in a drain cock I 94, through which sediment and mud can be i valve.

drained Jfrom the cylinder.

The disk 90, tits loosely in the cylinder t0 permit slow passage of water therearound and the edge of the disk is usually rounded or longitudinally tapered to reduce to the minimum possibility of friction with the Wall of the cylinder and to avoid Wedging of the disk in the cylinder should the disk rock or tilt while reciprocating therein with the rise and fall of the lever arm 8, and due to the swinging movement of said arm, ale though the extension of the arm beyond the lifting rod and its goose-neck or depending end formation (see 83) where pivoted to stem 91, reduces lateral movement of the.

stem to the minimum.

The term disk employed herein to designate the dash pot piston'that causes 'the slow closing movement of the valves, is not used in a restricted sense to draw a distinction between a disk and a piston. Usually the upper -end of the cylinder is externally threaded to screw into Va tapped hole in the bottom Wall of the casing 4. Also, .the upper open end of the cylinder can be notched, at 96, for free passage of the Water to and from the cylinder and past the disk 90, when said disk is about in the position shown by Fig. 3,

To open the duplex valve to flushing position, it is merely necessary to raise the handle 81, approximately tol its limit of movement against stop 4l, and then release the handle, whereupon the disk 90, will uphold the valve, the necessary length of time for a full flushing flow ot' water, before the valve isv permitted to fully close. The disk 90, slowl settles in the cylinder 9, under the action oat gravity and hence provides by eX- `ceedingly simple and eiiicient means for the necessary 'slow closing movement of the he main valve i'irst drops to its seat and then the relief valve gradually settles down toits seat, but before doing so permits the necessary iow ot" Water through passage 7G, atten valve 7, has seated, to provide the veters? heretofore employed have hence required various means, suoli as tanks, to provide water at uniform pressures for flushing purposes, or else required frequent adjustesired quantity o1 water in the bowl for" ment as the water pressure varied and hence necessitated the almost daily attention of a plumber or other person suiiiciently skilled to make the lnecessary adjustments. Furthermore, many of the flushometers heretofore provided are adapted for use only with special arrangement-s and sizes of pipes.' In other words, the house water supply system must be designed and' arranged therefor. Certain lushometers are subject to vobjectionable hammering; others are so constructed as not to be adapted for ortlinary domestic use because of the great pressure andv power necessary to operate the same; andothers are too complicated in the matt/er of number and formation of parts and adjustments to be durable and hence require the frequent services of a plumber. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, there is not now. on the market a tlushometer or direct connected flushing apparatus adapted for general domestic use at the greatly varying pressures of Water supply systems and which does not require frequent adjustment or the use of tanks.

My flushing apparatus can be applied.l to any house Water supply pipes and when properly adjusted thereto doesnot require furthe-r adjustment or attention except for repairs. When the apparatus is applied, the lifting rod section 76, Will be adjusted according to the size or capacity of the Water supply pipe 1, and then the valve 71, will be correspondinglyI adjusted to` maintain the fixed distance between the same and the lifting shoulder of rod section 76.. For an inch or inch and a quarter supply pipe l, the section 76, will beclongitudlnally adjusted to such a distance from the lever 7 4, that the path of movement of the -Valve 7, from completely open to closed position, will be of suflicient length to )rovide for a full flushing flow of water W ile the valve is closing. For say, a three quarters of an inch supply pipe l, the rod section 76, would be adjusted upwardly so as to be a greater distance from lever 8, than where the supply pipe is of larger capacity, and hence increase the length of the path oi" movement of the valve 7, and the length of time during which the iiushingwater is permitted to flow While said valve is closing. In any event the path of movement of the valve 7, is comparatively short With respect to the path of movement of the controlling disk 90, the length of the last named path being several times that of the first named path.

lt will be noted that the upward Inovements of the arm 8, lifting rod 74, and disk 90, are limited by the stop 4l, whilethesc elements are limited in their downvard movements by the engagement of the valves 7 and 71, with their respective seats. The adjustment ot' the elements71, 76, to raise the limit of upward movement of the'valve .ido

7, does not change the limits of upward movement of the rod 74, lever 8, and dlsk 90, but does lower the limits of downward movement of these parts, for by the time valve 7, after an opening movement, has reached lts closed pos1t1on, these parts have moved downwardly to lower positions than they occupied. before said upward adjustment of elements 71, 76.

By providing the centrally depressed valve seat in the upper end of loosely confined valve 7, the rounded lower end of relief valve 71, carried by the tiltable lifting viding the cushioning valve seat 6, supported by a fixed part of -the casing, inasmuch as the enlarged rounded hard lower end of the vertically elongated loosely confined valve 7, canread ily rock thereon 1n opening,

and in closing readily seats, adjusts and centers thereon without positive guiding and holding means. By this `specific arrangement wear on the washer forming the seat is reduced to the minimum, as the 'rounded end of the valve merely tends to compress the washer `and there is no tendency to cut th'e same. v

Advantages are attained, ,in the specific embodiment illustrated ,by employing .-tlie vertically elongated gravity valvc 7,- having a rounded lower end, the valve tapering and reducing upwardly from-its lower end so that the water oti'ers a minimum resistance against the opel ing movement of the valve. The rod 73, is o a reduced size with respect tothe water passage 70. tln'ouglrvalve 7, and the valve is thus but loosely confined by said rodand is free to rock laterally independently thereof while the rod is free to move laterally within the valve. Comparatively slight pressure is needed to raise the relief valve the hardly perceptible distance necessary to permit initial cs- 'capel of water through the passage 70, to reduce the pressure on valvev 7. The reliefl valve is rendered easy to initially lift because thevvalve andlifting rod are Afree to tilt laterally and are not guided or confined, and because of the absence of closely fitting parts and consequent friction resisting movement thereof. Furthermore, the facts that the valve is free in the comparatively large space above and aroundfthe valve in dome 3, and is formed tapering and reducing upwardly from its rounded lower end, all 'coi'ltrilmte in reducing the force necessary to lift the valve, and add to the simplieity, reliability and durability of the apparatus. l

The metal disk 90, in the open-top cup or -interfering with. thefree downward moveconsequence.

The stem or pin 93, depending into the reduced depending pocket 95, serves to prevent sediment such as mud, packing and.

caking inthe cylinder below the disk andl ment thereof. This stem 93, is usually tapered down to a-point to work in any possible collection of sediment and keep the same stirred up so as to settle in the pocket for discharge through the drain cock. If the disk should be elevated from its cylinder. and above the open end thereof, through improper adjustment of the stop 41, the stem 93, in theireduced pocket 95, will serve to guide the disk into the open end of the cylinder as the disk drops by gravity under theA weight of the heavy valve 7, and the handle 81. l A

The 'apparatus of my invention will properly operate and provide the necessary fiushing water without adjustment, at the very low pressure of some municipal Water supply systems, as well asunder the very high pressure of other systems, and vwill also operate successfully and without adjustinent underthe greatly varying pressures to which some water supply systems are periodically subject.

My apparatusavoids the use of.. objectionable springs, piston packing, friction-generating closely-fitting parts, air checks, and the valve-closing-movement-controlling disk is not subjected to Water under pressure but merely sinks down through the free water= in its cylinder by gravity. The parts of my device are so arranged and constructed as not to, be subject to clogging by sediment; the arrangement being such thatthe flowA of fiushing water will tend to carry otf and prevent deposit of sediment likely to interfere with the free operatioxrv of moving parts;

It is evident Ythat various changes, variations and modifications mightbc resorted not wish to limit myself to the exact dis'- closure hereof but consider myself entitled to all-such variations and the vlike falling within the spirit and essence of the following claims.

What I claim is .g 1. Flushing vapparatus comprising agi elbow' casing, the horizontal outlet arm of 'to in the forms, constructions and arrangev ments of the parts described, and hence I do Lacasse which is adapted to be coupled yWith the article to be flushed, an enlarged vertically disposed dome having a Water supply inlet at its lower portion, said dome risin from and at its lower end fitted to said in et end of the casing to discharge thereinto, a vertically movable'niain-valve normali closing the outlet from and rising in said ome and formed vwith a longitudinal Water passage, a relief valve normally closing said pas` sage, a lifting rodfor said main and relief valves arranged to open the same in sequence, said rod depending therefrom into the vertical portion of said casing, a manlially operated valve actuating and con trolling arm extending laterally in Said casing and coupled to said rod, a cylinder depending from said casing and at its upper end opening into the lower portion of the interior thereof, and a disk loosely arranged and vertically movable in said cyl inder and coupled to said arm.

2. A flushing apparatus comprising a dome having a Water supply inlet andA a contracted lower outlet end, an elbow casing having a horizontal arm adapted to be coupled to the article to be flushed and an upright arm at its upper end fitted to said lower end of the dome, a gravity valve normally closing said outlet and provided with pressure relieving .means and a lifting rod. depending in said casing, manually operated lifting-rod-actuating mechanism, an open-top cylinder depending from said casing and opening thereinto through the bottom thereof, and a disk vertically movable and loosely arranged in said cylinder and provided ivith a vertical stein extending upwardly into said casing and coupled lto said mechanism to control the closing movement ot said valve.

il. Flushing apparatus comprising a cas,- ing` having an annular valve seat, an upright loosely-conlined gravity main valve having an enlarged rounded lower end adapted to said seat, said valve having a longitudinal Water passage, a relief. valve norn'illy seated on said main valve and closingr said passage. a. vertically-disposed lil't rod extending through said passage and laterally movable therein and carrying said relief valve and having means for engaging,

vtilting and lifting said main valve, and operating and controlling means tor said rod.

4l. Flushing apparatus comprising an elbow y ,,asing consisting ot' a horizontal arm adapted to be coupled to the article to be lushed and an uprightarm, a dome risingr from and fixed on the upper end ot said upright arm to discharge tliercinto and provided with a. water supply opening` a gravity main valve normally closing said casing, a pressure relieving valve for .said main valve, a lit'ting rod tor said valves depending therelrom in said casing, a. vertically swingable rod-actuating and controlling arm normally arranged substantially horizontally in said casing and having exterior actuating means, a vertically movable disk arranged below said arm and having a, stem pivotally joined to the free end thereof, and an exterior Water cylinder tonand loosely receiving said disk and opening at its top into the bottom of the normally empty lower part of said casing.

5. Flushing apparatus comprising a casing having a ort surrounded by a valve seat, a vertice ly-movable laterally-tiltable gravity main valve normally resting on said seat and closing seid port and extending upwardly therefrom and having a longitudinal water discharge passage, a ve'rtically-movable tiltable lifting rod passing through said passage and provided with a pressure relieving valve normally closing said passage, said rod provided with means normally spaced fromand adapted to moye into engagement with and lift and tilt sald main valve trom t-he seat, and operating and controlling means for said rod.

'5. Flushing apparatus comprising a casing having a port, a gravity main valve nor: mally closingsaid port andhaving a Water passage extending therethrough and open' ing into said casing below the valve, a pressure relieving valve vertically movable independently of said main valve and normally closing said passage, a vertically disposed main-valve-lilting rod secured to said relieving valve and depending and verticall movable through said passage, and a horizontally disposed rock shaft havingexterior actuating means and provided with a vertically swingable lifting arm xed' thereto and extending therefrom substantially horizontally in said casing and pivotally joined to said rod, said rod being carried vertically and laterally by the vertical swing of said arm, said main' valve being rockable and vertically movable With and confined solely by said rod and free to laterally adjust itself to its seat.

7. Flushing apparatus comprising a casing to convey the flushing Water to the article to be flushed, a main valve normally closing said casing against the passage of Hushing water and provided with pressure nre,- lieving means, a vertically disposed lifting rod arranged in said casing for opening said valve and said pressure relieving means and controlling the closing thereof, actuating means operative from the exterior of said casing tor lifting said rod to open said valve and relieving means, a Water cylinder depending from and ,at its upper end opening into a normallyempty portion ofv said casing, a. vertically movable disk loosely arranged in said cylinder and having a stem extending up into said casing and pivotally coupled with said rod to control the downward movement thereof, the weight of said valve when elevated and ofcoperatingl parts being carried by said disk.

8. Flushing apparatus comprising a casing for conducting the flushing water to the article to be flushed, a'valve normally closing said casing against flow of flushing water, a-

pressure relieving valve, a vertically movable lift rod for opening said valves and controlling the closing movement thereof, a vertically swingable member for actuating -said rod' and having exterior operating means, a vertically movable disk having a stem pivotally joined to said' member, and 'an open vertical li uid cylinder loosely receiving said disk, t e weight of said valves when elevated being sustained by said disk.

9. Flushing apparatus comprising a casning,a main valve normally closing-'said casing `and having a longitudinal water passage, a pressure relieving valve normally closing said passage, a lift rod for 4said valves having a main valve lifting ortion adjustable longitudinally of said ro man-- ually actuated means for lifting said rod, and mechanism controlling the downward movement of said rod and the closing movement ofsaid valves, said mechanism. com- "prising an open-end cylinder. and 'a disk freely movable vertically therein and connected with said rod and sustaining said valves when elevated and having a normal range of vertical movement of greater length than that of said valves.

10. Flushing apparatus comprising a casing, a gravity main valve normally closing Y A the same and having a longitudinal water passage, a relief valve normally closing said passage, a lift rod for said valves depending through said passage, a manually-operated lifting arm extending laterally in the casing and between its ends couple'd to the lower endl of said lift rod, the vfree end of said arm being turned down, a vertically movable 45,

disk having a stem extending np vinto the casing andpivotally joined tov said` down turned end of said arm, and an open verti- 'cal water cylinder loosely receiving, said disk.

11. Flushing apparatus comprising 'a casing having a bottom wall, a water cylinder in h lvlving a horizontal ortion a vertical g P y said casing, a valve normally closing said casing, and manually actuated lift-ing means` for said valve, said means being connected with saidstem.

12. Flushing apparatus comprising a caslwater cylinder depending therefrom and valve-lifting arm in the casing and pivotally joined to said stem, a main valve normally closing said casing above said cylinder, lvalve lifting means coupled to and actuated and controlled'by said arm, said arm being pivotally coupled to said means, the weight of said valve when opened and of cooperating parts being on said disk, said diskA having a greater lrange of vertical movemen-t than said-valve. f

' 13. Flushing apparatus comprising a casing, a vertically-movable Vimain 'valve normally closing the same and having a Water passagev therethrough, af pressure relieving valve normally closing said passage, a vertically-movable lifting rod for lifting said valves in sequence to open the same, lever mechanism for actuating said rod and controlling -the downward movement there-oi?, a

.liquid cylinder, a freely vertically movable disk therein connected with said vmechanism to control the downward movement or said .rod and the closing movement of said valves,

said disk sustaining said valves and coperating A parts when elevated and settling through the liquid in said cylinder by gravity, the range of vertical movement of said soV disk being greater than that of said valves,

subst'antially as described.

14. Flushing apparatus comprising a casing, a vertically movable gravity valve nor- 'mally closing'said casing, a lift rod for elevating said valve and controlling the closing movement thereof, a stop limiting the opening movement of said rodl and valve, the downward movement of said rod being limited by the engagement of said valve and its seat, lever mechanism for elevating said rod and valve and controlling the downward movement of' said rod, mechanism controlling the closing movement of said ,valve through the medium of said lever mecha-- nism and rod and comprising a liquid cylinder and a disk Yfreely movable vertically therein and connected with said lever mechanism and when said valve is open sustainy ing the weight thereot` and ofcoperating parts and settling through the liquid in said cylinder by gravity, the normal range of 'ver-v izo tical movement of said disk being greater than that of said valve, the downward movement'o said disk being limited by the en-A gagement of said valve and its seat.

175.` Flushingapparatus comprising a casi-1 ing having a Valve seat, a vertically movable' valve normally resting on said seat to close said casing, means for'lifting said valve to open position and controlling the closing .movement thereof comprising lever mechaing, a vertically-movable gravity valve norand coupled to said lever mechanism and having a range of movement in excess of that of said valve and limited in its downward movement by the engagement of the valve and its seat. 1 16. Flushing apparatus comprising a casingI terminating in an enlarged dome, a bodily vertically-movable laterally-tiltable valve normally closing said casing and rising in and of reduced size with respect to said dome, pressure relieving means for said valve, laterally-swingable vertically-moving lifting means for said valve and relieving means to tilt and elevate the same to open position, actuating mechanism for said lifting means for elevating and tilting the same, and means limiting the lateral swing of said lifting means to prevent said valve when elevated from engaging with adjacent walls.

17. Flushing apparatus comprising a casmally closing the same, swinging actuating mechanism for opening said valve and con trolling the closing movement thereof, and mechanism comprising a depending ,liquid cylinder openingv at its upper end into a lower portion of said casing normally emptied of water, and a rockable roundededge disk loosely arranged and vertically movable in said cylinder andf coupled to said actuating mechanism to control the closing movement of said valve, said disk having a normal vertical range of movement greater than that of said valve and sustaining. the weight'of said valve and coperating parts when said valve is elevated and slowly settling by gravity through the liquid in said cylinder. v

18. Flushing apparatus comprising a casing,` a vertically-movable valve normally closing the same, valve actuating mechanism for lifting and opening the valve, and mechanism controlling `the closing movement of ,said valve and comprising a vertical water cylinder opening at its upper end'into said casing and an imperforate disk loosely-arranged and vertically-movabl`e in said cylinder and pivotally coupled to said valve actiiating mechanism and having a normal range of vertical movement greater' than that of said valve and sustaining said valve when elevated and dropping by gravity through the water in said cylinder during thec'losing movement of said valve.

1S). Flushing apparatus comprising a casing having a normally empty horizontal portion, a vertically movable valve normally closing said casing against flushing flow of water, valve actuating mechanism for lifting and opening said valve, and mechanism controlling the closing movement of said valve and comprising a vertical water cylinder4 opening at its upper end through the floor of said horizontal portion, and a loosely-arranged and vertically movable disk in said cylinderfpivotally coupled to said actuating mechanism to carry the weight of said valve and actuating mechanism when'said valve is elevated and to slowly sink by gravity through the water in said cylinder as the valve. closes and having a range of vertical movement in excess of'tliat of the valve.

Q0. Flushing apparatnscomprising a casing, a laterally-tiltable loosely-confined gravityclosing valve normally held at its limit of downward movement closing said casing against flushing flow of water and having a pressure relieving passage, pressure-relieving means normally closing said passave, depending verticallyfinovahle laterally-tiltable lifting means forI lifting and opening and controlling the closing movement of said re- LEOSIMMONS.

Witnesses:

Hmmm` E. PEOR, W. N. Wooiision.l 

